WABASH COLLEGE 

apartment of Botany— Publication No. 22 

MASON B. THOMAS 
SAMUEL J. RECORD 



THE HARDY CATALPA 



BY 



SAMUEL J. RECORD, M. A. 

-it 

IN CHARGE OF FORESTRY 




CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA 
J 906 



INDEX 



Introduction 

Cree . . 

Distribution and Historj . . . 

Comparison with Inferior Specif 

Manner and Rate of Growth 

Soil, Light and Moisture Requirement! 

Character of Wood ... 

Uses of the Timbei 

Diseases and their Prevention . 
The Nursery . . 

Securing the Seed 

Soil and Site 

Seeding . 

( Jaring for the Stock 
The Plantation 

Preparation of Soil . 

Spacing and Planting . 

Tending and Pruning . 

Thinning 

The Final Crop . 
bable Returns 



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Typical Indiana Catalpa speciosa 

B? J. P. BROWN 



THE HARDY CATALPA 



INTRODUCTION 

Much has been written about the hardy catalpa; so much in fact 
that further literature may seem superfluous. Many statements however, 
do not harmonize and even the best recognized authorities have failed to 
agree in all particulars. Unfortunately, also, there has been much con- 
fusion of species and hybrids which has lead to misunderstandings and 
false conclusions. 

The purpose of this bulletin is to aid in clearing up this confusion, 
to glean the wheat from the chaff. It is inspired by the universal 
request for definite and positive information concerning this tree, its uses, 
culture and value. 

Tree planting for commercial purposes is new to most Americans. 
It is not until the forests are almost exhausted that any serious atten- 
tion is given to the timber supply. And even with a timber famine 
imminent, few people are willing to plant trees which will require a 
lifetime for mafurity. Forest growing must be made to pay else the 
private individual cannot afford to engage in it. 

The hardy catalpa has many properties which make it valuable as 
a farm crop. It grows very rapidly, becomes merchantable as soon as 
large enough for posts, and regenerates itself readily from sprouts. For 
quick returns it has few equals, while its general immunity from disease 
and the lasting qualities of the wood give it high rank commercially. 

Farmers are everywhere becoming interested in the growth of 
this tree and thousands of plantations have been started. Many of 
these have been failures and many more only partially successful. In 
nearly every instance the trouble may be traced to lack of information. 
Either the wrong species were used, or the trees were planted too 
closely or on sterile soil, or were not given proper cultivation. These 
failures have done untold injury to the popularity of the hardy catalpa 
and have filled the minds of many prospective planters with doubt and 
hesitancy. 

Hence there seems a need of a publication which will present the 
facts without prejudice or partiality; that will state simply and clearly 
the essential points in the cultivation of this tree; and that may serve as 
a safe and practical guide to tree planters. To these ends the author 
has striven and has spared no pains to secure the truth. 




THE TREE 

Distribution and History 

The hardy catalpa ( Catalpa 
speciosa) is indigenous to the 
lower Wabash and Ohio River 
valleys where it originally ex- 
isted as isolated individuals or 
in scattered clumps among the 
other trees of the forest. It 
frequently attained large size, 
over four feet in diameter and 
100 feet high, while there are 
records of trees which meas- 
ured twenty-one feet in girth 
with a corresponding height 
of nearly 150 feet. Most of 
these giants have disappeared 
to furnish fence rails, posts 
and cross ties, as the early 
settlers were quick to learn 
its value. There are a few 
specimens of forest growth 
still to be found in southern 
Indiana and lower Illinois. 

From its very limited nat- 
ural distribution the tree has 
since been introduced into 
nearly every part of the 
United States and also into 
many foreign countries. It is 
being widely planted by farm- 
ers for posts and by rail- 
road companies for cross 
ties and telegraph poles. 
Many nursery firms make a 
a specialty of this tree and 
various companies make it a 
business to establish planta- 
tions and care for them. At 
least two States are actively 
engaged in distributing seed- 
lings to landowners and en- 
couraging plantations. By 
various other means the range 
of this tree is being extended 
and its propagation encour- 
aged. Throughout the Middle 
West, especially, the popular- 
ity of the hardy catalpa is 
unrivaled and many trees are 
being planted every year. 



Catalpa speciosa from the Wabash Valley 
BY J. P. BROWN 



—6— 

Comparison with Inferior Species 

There are three species of the catalpa which have been widely dis- 
tributed in the United States. They are Catalpa speciosa or hardy catalpa; 
Catalpa catalpa {Catalpa bignonioides) or southern catalpa; and Calpata 
Tcempfeni or Japanese catalpa. The first two are indigenous to this 
country, while the last is an importation. These species hybridize 
readily through the agency of insects which produce cross-fertilization. 
All of the hybrids are inferior to the Catalpa speciosa which is the only 
form desirable to plant. 

Although the botanist can readily distinguish the forms it is usually 
difficult for the layman. To assist the latter some of the distinguishing 
characters are given. The principal points for comparison are flowers, 
fruit, bark, and habit of growth. 

To the ordinary observer the flowers of all of the forms look very 
much alike, but in reality those of the C. speciosa are considerably 
larger, and have a wider border of white which makes them appear less 
highly colored. They also begin to appear from one to two weeks be- 
fore the others in the same locality. The flowers of the pure Catalpa kemp- 
ftrii have a distinct yellowish tint which makes them easily recognized- 
However, since the trees are in bloom only a short time each year, their 
floral characters become less important. 

The fruit of the catalpa is a long, slender, cylindrical pod contain- 
ing a large number of long, flat, papery seeds with frayed ends. The 
pods of the hardy catalpa are much larger than the others, being from 
fourteen to eighteen inches in length and about three-fourths of an 
inch in diameter. Moreover there are usually a small number to each 
tree and only one to three to each flower cluster. The southern catalpa 
produces an abundance of pods, six to eight inches long, one-half inch 
thick and in clusters of from four to six. The pure Japanese 
species has much smaller pods in numerous clusters of from eight to 
twenty each. 

There are corresponding differences in the seeds. Those of the 
hardy catalpa are larger, heavier and broader than the others. The 
silky filamants at the ends are in broad pencils instead of being drawn to 
a point and frequently twisted as in the others. About 100 pods of 
Catalpa speciosa are required to furnish one pound of seed. The seeds 
are twice as heavy as those of Catalpa catalpa and four times heavier 
than the seeds of the oriental species. The accompaning cut shows a 
comparative view of th3 three kinds. 

The bark of the catalpas is distinctive, especially on the mature 
trees. That of Catalpa speciosa is thick and heavy with deep furrows 
and prominent ridges. It is usually possible to determine the age of a tree 
with reasonable accuracy by counting the annual icings in the bark. In 
the other species it is flaky, scales oft' readily, and does not form ridges. 
These characters are not so noticeable in young trees. 

Probably the most distinguishing character of all is the habit of 
growth. Seed for planting should be collected only from straight up- 
right trees over twenty feet in height. The Japanese catalpa grows 



fairly'straight but seldom attains a height of more than twenty feet. 
The southern species produces a short, spreading and irregular tree un- 
desirable for propagation. (See illustration. ) 

In the many hybrids the characters are not so pronounced as in 
the pure breeds, and it is sometimes very difficult to distinguish the 




Seed of Catalpa. Top seed Catalpa kempferii 
Middle seed Catalpa speciosa 
Bottom seed Catalpa catalpa 

BY P. .7. BROWN 

forms. In any particular case all of the above tests should be applied, 
and failure to meet any of the requirements should be disqualifying. 
"When in doubt, reject," maybe taken as a good motto in selecting 
catalpa seed or plant material. 



Manner and Rate of Growth 

The hardy catalpa is usually h very rapid grower. The best devel- 
opment is made on deep, rich, moist soil in unrestricted sunlight. The 
form of the tree is upright with a gradually tapering stem covered with 
side branches almost to the ground. On poor soil the trees are low, 
crooked and much branched. 

The terminal bud of the young catalpa is often winter-killed and 
continued growth in length must be from the first lateral bud. This 
accounts for the tendency to crookedness which is commonly observed, 
to some extent at least, in all catalpa trees. 

When grown in plantations the trunks have less taper and the 
height is greater in proportion to the diameter. The lower branches 
readily die in the absence of sufficient light but will persist on the tree 
for many years. 

The root system is very extensive. There is usually a stout tap- 
root with many laterals. It is mainly upon the ability of this root sys- 



tern to develop rapidly and extensively in all directions that the suc- 
cessful growth of the tree depends. 

Rate of growth in diameter and height depends always upon local 
conditions. Height development bears the closest relation to the qual- 
ity of the locality. The increase is most rapid in youth and becomes 
gradually less as the tree matures. An average annual increase of 
three feet may be expected for the first ten years under fair conditions- 
Increase in diameter is greatest in trees growing in good soil in 
the open. The crowding of trees in a plantation may tend to induce 
height growth but always at the expense of diameter. Trees growing in 
the most favorable situations frequently add one inch annually to the 
diameter of their trunks. In a plantation, however, not more than half 
this rate should be expected. 

Soil, Light, and Moisture Requirements 

The catalpa cannot be grown with success on poor soil. This has 
been clearly demonstrated by some of the largest plantations in the 
United States. A good object lesson is afforded by a plantation in 
Crawford county, Kansas, established over twenty-five years ago by the 
Kansas City, Port Scott and Memphis Railroad Company. In this forest 
the returns on the best soil were almost five times as great as on the 
poorest. In another well-authenticated instance, a plantation which 
showed great variation in soil fertility, gave no return on poor sandy 
soil, while on rich loam it yielded a clear annual profit of more than 
twenty dollars per acre. 

The soil should be deep, as the presence of an impervious subsoil 
seriously interferes with the development of a good root system without 
which the tree can make little growth. In general, soil which is capa- 
ble of producing good crops of corn or wheat is best adapted to catalpa 
culture. Bottom land is especially suitable if sufficiently drained. An 
occasional flooding from a swollen stream will seldom occasion any con- 
siderable damage to the trees. 

The tree demands a large amount of direct sunlight. No develop- 
ment can be expected in the shade of other trees. For this reason cat- 
alpa should never be planted with other species which may later overtop 
it, or in small openings in natural forests. 

In many of its requirements the catalpa resembles the black wal- 
nut and may be depended on to do well in situations suitable to the lat- 
ter. The soil should be moist, but not continually wet. Cold muck 
lands or undrained kettle holes are not desirable sites. Sandy soil with 
sufficient humus to retain moisture is suitable. 

Character of the Wood 

In general appearance, weight and texture the catalpa wood re- 
sembles very closely that of the butternut. It is light, porous, dark 
brown in color, and capable of taking a high polish. After being cut 
from the living tree it is one of the most durable timbers known. It re- 
sists weathering influences and attacks of wood-destroying fungi to an 



— 9— 

exceptional degree, thus adapting it especially for use in contact with 
the ground. 

The wood is quite tough, though rather soft and light. Second- 
growth timber, however, is harder than slower growing old trees from 
the virgin forest. 

The sap-wood of the catalpa does not greatly resist decay when 
used in contact with the ground, a fact true of all timbers. The heart- 
wood, however, forms nearly three-fourths of the volume of the entire 
-^ree, even at the early age of five or ten years, and its durability is not 
>pparently affected by age or rapidity of growth. The problem for the 
owner, therefore, will be to secure the best growth and the most per- 
fect form in the least time. 

Timber for posts, ties or poles should be cut during the late fall 
and winter, as the water content of the tree is then at its lowest point. 
The wood should be allowed to season before using. 

Uses of the Timber 

The catalpa makes an ideal post timber and it is for this purpose 
that most plantations have been started. In view of the fact that it can 
be grown so easily, farmers everywhere can with profit devote a portion 
of their land to its culture. 

Whenever trees can be grown tall and straight enough they will 
make most excellent telegraph and telephone poles, outlasting any 
other class of timber. 

The wood has been used for cross ties by several railroads and 
there is no doubt about its durability. There is only one serious objec- 
tion to the wood for this purpose, that is its insufficient hardness. With 
very heavy traffic this becomes a serious matter. It is quite probable 
that the proper use of tie plates will do much to remedy this difficulty. 

Various experiments have been made with the wood to show its 
general adaptability. It has a handsome grain and polishes readily, 
making it desirable for furniture and interior furnishing. The very 
limited supply of the timber has prevented its general use for such pur- 
poses. 

Diseases and their Prevention 

The catalpa is seldom attacked by any destructive diseases. Occa- 
sionally the leaves are eaten by caterpillars or are the hosts for a num- 
ber of parasitic fungi, but no great permanent injury results. The 
young twigs and the roots are free from disease so far as known. There 
are two forms of rot which sometimes destroy the wood of the trunk and 
do considerable harm, but it is usually easy to prevent their attacks. 
One is a soft rot, the other a brown rot, both caused by fungi. Both 
diseases gain entrance to the heart-wood through wounds or holes left 
by decaying limbs. Trees so attacked seldom show any outward sign of 
the disease and it is only when they are cut or blown over that the dam- 
age becomes apparent. The wood becomes soft and brittle, and is fin- 
ally completely rotted, rendering the trees valueless. 



—10— 

It is highly desirable that the trees be kept healthy, since one dis- 
eased tree may infect the entire plantation. To prevent the decay of 
the trunks it will be necessary to prevent the entrance of the fungus 
spores. This can be readily accomplished by preventing the growth of 
side branches or removing them before they are allowed to die. If 
large branches are cut off the wound should be coated with ordinary 
coal tar which penetrates deeply into the wood and acts as a powerful 
antiseptic. 

THE NURSERY 

It is cheaper for the planter to grow his own trees from seed than 
to buy them from a nursery, especially if large numbers are to be 
planted. Seedlings can be grown readily for about $1.50 per thousand, 
while the market price for the same material is from $5 to $20 per thou- 
sand. Such differences in initial cost will count up immensely on the 
final profits. It is essential to reduce the first cost of forest planting to 
the least possible amount. 

Another consideration still more important than the initial cost is 
the liability of securing nursery stock of inferior species or hybrids. 
Many thousands of trees and many hundreds of pounds of seeds of almost 
worthless kinds have been sold and distributed by dealers as the gen- 
uine hardy catalpa. For this reason innumerable plantations have 
failed, thus causing the owners loss and creating an wholly erroneous im- 
pression of the hardy catalpa. 

Securing the Seed 

The utmost caution should be used to secure pure seed of the 
Catalpa speciosa. If gathered by the planter it should be only from 
trees of undoubted identity situated at considerable distance from any 
tree of the inferior species. The seed should be collected in the fall and 
stored in a dry, cold place over winter. 

In purchasing seed from dealers the same caution must be used. 
Of samples recently secured from all the important tree seed dealers in 
the United States, fully eighty per cent were not true to name. For 
this reason, when seed is purchased it should be examined by an author- 
ity and positively identified before planting. 

To this end the services of the United States Department of Agri- 
culture may be secured for the asking. All that is necessary is to en- 
close a sample of the seed in an envelope with a request for its identifi- 
cation and mail to 

THE FORESTER 

U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 

Soil and Site 

Preferably the soil should be a deep sandy loam of moderate rich- 
ness. If the soil is naturally poor it should be enriched with well-rotted 
manure. Good drainage should be assured. 



—12— 

For growing- trees for the ordinary farm wood lot a portion of a 
well-worked field or garden may be readily employed. It is usually 
better to have the nursery located near the house on account of the con- 
venience in cultivation. Arrangements should be made so that the seed- 
lings may be watered in case of prolonged drouth. 

Seeding 

The seed should be sown in rows three and one-half feet apart, if a 
horse cultivator is to be used, or two feet apart if cultivated by hand. 
Since not all of the seeds planted may be expected to grow, they should 
be sown more thickly than they are wanted to stand in the row. A good 
plan is to strew them along in the furrows about twenty-five to the foot. 
A pound contains over 10,000 hardy catalpa seeds which will cover ap- 
proximately 400 linear feet of seed drill. 

The seed should be sown in the spring after danger of heavy frosts 
are over and covered with well-pulverized soil to a depth of not more 
than one-fourth inch. Many failures are due to planting too deeply. 
The earth over the seed row should then be firmed by gently tapping 
with the back of a hoe or pressed with a board. 

Caring for the Stock 

Until the seedlings have formed the second pair of leaves they are 
very delicate, and special care should be exercised to keep the ground 
mellow and free from weeds and grass. Clean, level cultivation should 
be continued throughout the season. 

By autumn the plants should have reached a height of from two 
to four feet, an ideal size for forest planting. After the leaves have 
fallen but previous to any heavy freeze, the trees should be carefully 
dug up and placed in the ground for protection during the winter. This 
temporary storing or heeling in, consists in planting dense slanting rows 
of seedlings in a trench. Almost the entire tree should be covered with 
a thick layer of straw or leaves held down by branches or poles. This 
will prevent the killing back of the young and tender shoots. 

If for any reason all of the stock is not used the first season it 
should be transplanted into nursery rows three feet apart and six inches 
apart in the rows. The transplanting produces vigorous root develop- 
ment and such plants, therefore, establish themselves better when perm- 
anently set out. The advantage gained is not sufficient in most cases to 
warrant the extra trouble and expense of transplanting all of the stock 
into the nursery. 

THE PLANTATION 

Preparation of the Soil 

Whenever possible the ground should be plowed deeply and thor- 
oughly worked before planting. It is a good plan to prepare the soii;>s 
for corn or vegetables, as indeed these crops are frecpaently grown!be- 



—13— 

tween the rows of the young trees. Sod land should be plowed in the 
fall and allowed to lie fallow until spring. 

If the ground is very wet or mucky it should be drained before 
planting. Trees should never be set in sod, on steep hillsides, or in 
small openings in a forest. 

Spacing and Planting 

The most satisfactory spacing for trees in a plantation is six feet 
by six feet. This requires 1,210 trees per acre. Closer planting is to 
be avoided as it will only result in stunting the growth of the trees. On 
poorer soil, planting six feet by seven feet (about 1,000 trees per acre) 
will give them better opportunity for development. If the spacing be 
too wide the plantation will require too much care to prevent the 
growth of side branches and a choking undergrowth of weeds and grass. 

Early in spring the thoroughly worked soil should be furrowed 
out deeply into rows six or seven feet apart. In these rows the trees 
should be dropped at intervals of six feet and immediately covered with 
earth to a depth slightly exceeding that in the nursery. The soil should 
then be packed very firmly about the roots with the foot. 

The most favorable time to plant is on a damp, cloudy day, when 
the soil is moist but not too wet. The roots of the trees should be kept 
covered to prevent drying out. This is readily done by spreading a piece 
of wet carpet over them or covering with earth. If the soil is a little dry 
the seedling roots should be dipped in a mud bath. 

The easiest way to prepare the latter is to partially fill a half- 
barrel or large bucket with water and stir in light, loamy earth or muck 
until a rather thin puddle is formed. Grasp a bunch of seedlings firmly 
and plunge the roots down into the mixture, sousing them several times 
to coat them thoroughly. The seedlings are then ready for transplant- 
ing. A basket is convenient for carrying the plants along the rows 
where, one by one, they are dropped in place. 

Tending and Pruning. 

A plantation will require cultivation for the first two or three 
years. Some crop such as corn, beans, peas or potatoes, may be grown 
between the rows the first year and the returns from this source will 
more than repay the cost of cultivating. 

During the second and third years, only the surface of the soil 
should be stirred, otherwise the roots will be injured. Two or three 
cultivations will be sufficient to keep down the weeds and grass. If a 
sod is allowed to form it will choke and rob the trees and interfere seri- 
ously with their development. 

For the first two years after planting, the trees should be allowed 
to grow and develop a strong root system regardless of the shape of their 
crowns. Late the second winter all trees that have not a single upright 
shoot, should be cut off close to the ground. This can be done with 
heavy pruning shears, a saw or a sharp ax. When the ax is used it should 
be with a swinging upward stroke as a downward stroke will split the 
trunk. 



—14- 

As soon as the sprouts are about a foot high, all should be broken 
off except one of the most vigorous on each stump, and if possible, it 
should be on the side toward the prevailing wind, usually southwest. 
This work should be done carefully so as not to disturb the bark. It is 
also a good plan to bank earth about the sprouts to depth of five or six 
inches to lessen the danger of them being blown over by the wind and to 
prevent the growth of others. 

These sprouts will make very rapid growth during the summer and 
soon equal and possibly outgrow the trees which were not cut back. 
The main advantage is the obtaining of a straight branchless growth 
without the trouble or expense of pruning. Should the trees become 
top heavy some of the limbs must be removed. If a tree be badly injured 
or broken by storm or otherwise, it should be cut off at the ground and 
allowed to renew itself at the stump. 

Care should be taken to see that a single upright leader is not 
interfered with by too many side branches. They should be removed to 
a height of sixteen feet before they reach a diameter of more than one- 
half inch. The best instrument for this purpose is a wide, sharp chisel 
upon the end of a long handle. An upward thrust or a slight blow with 
a mallet, is sufficient to remove the limb. It is important that the 
branches be removed close to the trunk of the trees, without so much as 
a quarter inch of stub remaining. If done properly, the wound will soon 
callous over and prevent the entrance of disease spores. 

Thinning 

Under ordinary circumstances trees should be large enough for 
posts in about ten years. About this time there will be a notice- 
able decrease in the rate of growth, due to the close crowding. The 
trees begin to contend with each other for food and growing space, and 
energy is wasted which should be. conserved in the form of wood. 

If only posts are wanted, all of the tract may be cut clear and 
allowed to reproduce itself by sprouts from the stumps. If larger timber 
be desired, only half of the trees should be removed, leaving the others 
to continue' growing. A thinning tends to stimulate the growth of the 
remaining trees. It may be readily done by removing all the trees in 
each alternate row, or every other tree in each row. In about five years 
another thinning will be necessary, if very large trees are desired for a 
final stand. 

The Final Crop 

The time required to produce merchantable material depends on 
the nature of the product desired. The trees should be large enough for 
posts in from eight to twelve j ears, depending on the quality of the 
locality. Larger timber will require a proportionately longer time. 

The growing of posts will appeal most strongly to the farmer since 
large quantities of them are needed annually. The catalpa is especially 
adapted to this purpose and will yield good results in a short time. Once 
a plantation is established it is self generating, for the stumps sprout 



very readily. In felling - the trees the stumps should be cut very low and 
afterward trimmed up smoothly with an ax to improve their sprouting 
capacity. 

Probable Returns 

It is manifestly impossible to foretell the results of any forest plan- 
tation. So much depends upon local considerations than an attempt to 
estimate returns is apt to be misleading. Many extravagant claims are 
made by enthusiasts which are scarcely justifiable. Making due allow- 
ances, however, the fact still remains that the hardy catalpa is desirable 
for propagation and has been grown with profit. 

Better than forecasting is a statement of what has been done in 
actual practice. One compartment of the Yaggy plantation in Kansas 
has given a clear profit of over $21.00 per acre annually, for twelve years. 
In the Farlington, (Kansas,) plantation the average yearly profit on 400 
acres for twenty-one years, was $12.65 per acre, though the returns on 
the best land in the plantation were $30.00. In Ohio, estimates of eight 
catalpa groves twenty-one to twenty-five years old, none of which had 
received careful attention in the way of pruning, cultivating or thinning, 
and most of which had been planted too closely, show an average yield 
of 2,777 posts per acre valued at $240.00. It seems safe to assert that 
with proper care the returns from these groves could have been increased 
three-fold. 



CONCLUSION. 

In the foregoing the principal points for consideration are: 

1. That the wood of the hardy catalpa has many valuable proper- 
ties and is especially desirable for posts. 

2. That of the numerous species and hybrids of the catalpa only 
the pure Catalpa speciosa should be planted. 

3. That only good soil is adapted to its culture. 

4. That it is much cheaper to grow the seedlings than to purchase 
them from dealers. 

5. That close crowding of the trees in a plantation is to be avoided. 

6. That hand pruning will be necessary to produce clear, straight 
and sound timber. 

7. That the growing or hardy catalpa may be made a safe and 
profitable investment. 

It must not be concluded however, that the Catalpa speciosa is the only 
tree desirable for cultivation. In less favorable situations the black 
locust is superior to it, while on fair soil the mulberry and Osage orange 
can be grown very successfully for posts. Neither should the propaga- 
tion of these trees preclude the planting of the more valuable though 
slower maturing species, such as black walnut, white oak, white ash, 
tulip-tree, bass-wood, hickory and sugar maple. 



